This refers to your thought-provoking article “Hazards of plastic bags” (THT, June 12, Page 8). The widespread use of plastic carry bags undoubtedly poses a serious problem. With global warming on the rise, we have to do every bit that we can to save the environment. The major chemicals that go into the making of plastic are highly toxic and pose a serious threat to living beings of all species on earth. While there should be a strict ban on plastics, considering its ill-effects on the human beings and the environment, people should desist from accepting materials in plastic bags. It is the moral duty of people to refrain from using plastic bags. While educating people on the need toshun plastic, we also need to make available cheaper, safer, durable alternatives. Cloth and jute bags need to be attractively priced and easily available.

Authorities alone cannot be blamed for the plastic pollution. If every individual resolves not to use plastic bags, our cities would be much better places to live in. Unless we honestly implement all ways to eliminate plastic, its ill-effects will continue to be with us. The little that we can do without much effort from our side is to say “no” to plastic bags. Plastic is widely used in our day to day life. Starting from a pen to a polythene bag in which we carry fruits and books are forms of plastic.

Vinod C. Dixit, Ahmedabad

Stray dogs

Apropos of the THT photo on page 2, June 13 of a street smart, responsible four-legged citizen using zebra to walk across the road is heart warming. I have seen many an orphan street dogs crossing the road carefully after looking right and left several times, zebras or no zebras. In their haste, our empowered drivers and bikers naturally ignore these poor souls on the roads. As a dog lover, many  times I stop by to help these canines cross the road. But most of them are so smart like some around the Shahid gate area that they observe for safe crossing for a long time before doing so very carefully. Their intelligence makes people like me respect, admire and love them more. Though intelligent stray canines are one of

the major causes of road accidents, most of them are killed by reckless drivers. They also litter the roads and are the major source of rabies. One of the major duties of newly elected representatives of all municipalities is to control the stray dogs from roaming in the streets and public places.

One finds it very difficult to navigate the roads, parks and public places during morning walks. Government will save millions of rupees if all municipalities come up with integrated plans of controlling the stray dogs which carry rabies and other communicable diseases that are transmitted to humans, cows and other domestic animals. A massive drive must be launched to get rid of stray dogs that are not the good for smart cities.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu